Pistons to tab Flip Saunders head coach

The two side are set to reportedly agree to a four-year contract worth between $4 and $5 million per season. Saunders will replace Larry Brown, who was relieved of his duties by the club on Tuesday.j

Saunders, who was considered the top choice to replace Brown, was fired by the Minnesota Timberwolves in February after 9 1/2 years of service. Saunders went 411-326 with the T-Wolves, but besides his clubs success during the regular season, his teams got past the first round of the playoffs only once.

Known as a players coach and one that stresses defense, Saunders helped guide the Timberwolves to a franchise-best and league-best 58-24 mark in 2003-04. Minnesota advanced all the way to the Conference Finals before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

However, last year was a different story for a club with high expectations coming into the season. The Timberwolves got off to a disappointing 25-26 start to the campaign, prompting the firing of Saunders.

The T-Wolves finished the season with a 44-38 and missed the playoffs.

In two seasons with the Pistons, Brown guided Detroit to the NBA Championship in 2004 and lost the Finals in seven games to San Antonio this past season.

The 64-year-old Brown, signed a five-year, $25 million contract with the Pistons two seasons ago. However, Brown was left free to coach another team in the NBA, after the Piston reached a settlement on the last three years of his contract on Tuesday.